The Memphis Tigers have always had big time names associated with their program but many of those names have never stepped foot on the Pyramid floor. Darius Washington is changing that trend. The 6-foot-1, 185 pound guard from Edgewater (Fla.) HS will be bringing his amazing scoring, speed and a state championship to Memphis.

The charismatic Washington helped led his team to a hard fought state title by averaging an eye-popping 32.5 points a game en route to a 30-2 record. Because of his on-court success, Washington is now playing in the post-season all-star games like the adidas/EA Sports Superstar game in Knoxville, Tenn. With all of the accolades, Tiger fans still wonder if they’ll ever see him.

“When we played in Memphis at a tournament earlier in the year, some guy yelled at me when we were leaving the court, ‘Hey, Washington, good game but will you play like that for the Tigers?’” Washington said.

“I’m ready. I’m ready to attend Memphis. I’d like to help move the program onto bigger and better things. I hope the fans like what they see.”

The No. 29 player on the Rivals150 list comes to the Conference USA squad much like former Memphis star Dejuan Wagner. In fact, Wagner even had a chance to give Washington some advice about the future.

“He came to one of my games when they were in town and told me that our games are really similar and said I picked a good system that fits my style. He said, ‘You like to run and Coach Cal loves to open the floor and let his team get after it.’”

Wagner didn’t stay for long, bolting for the NBA after his freshman season. Some believe Washington will do the same.

“I could be a one and done like Dejuan but it just depends on how long it takes me to get to that level,” Washington said. “No one on God’s green earth knows.”

Washington said playing for former NBA coach John Calipari will help his quest to the league, no matter how long he stays in college.

“He’s coached at the next level and knows what I need to do in order to become effective,” Washington said. “Coach Cal has had similar guards under him and he’s helped them develop all of their skills. He’ll be able to do that for me.”

However long he stays, Washington will be one of the top freshmen in the country because of his sensational scoring skills and blazing speed.